This class examines how anthropology and speculative fiction (SF) each explore ideas about culture and society, technology, morality, and life in “other” worlds. We investigate this convergence of interest through analysis of SF in print, film, and other media. Concepts include traditional and contemporary anthropological topics, including first contact; gift exchange; gender, marriage, and kinship; law, morality, and cultural relativism; religion; race and embodiment; politics, violence, and war; medicine, healing, and consciousness; technology and environment. Thematic questions addressed in the class include: what is an alien? What is “the human”? Could SF be possible without anthropology?

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Describe Durkhiem’s functionalist view of societyUnderstand the conflict theorist view of societyExplain Marx’s concepts of class and alienationIdentify how symbolic interactionists understand society

This activity, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper and the stories of Raymond Carver, challenges students to get inside contemporary life and characters through the creation of monologues.

This course is a seminar on the philosophical analysis of film art, with an emphasis on the ways in which it creates meaning through techniques that define a formal structure. There is a particular focus on aesthetic problems about appearance and reality, literary and visual effects, communication and alienation through film technology.

Sociology Live! is a series of open source videos available on youtube.com for faculty and students in sociology. Using VideoScribe technology, these videos precisely explain complex sociological theories and concepts and engage both auditory and visual learners. Engaging different types of learning styles is important as students report losing attention in class can be as short as 30 seconds into the class period and up to 10-20 minutes in length. Students report shorter lapses in attention when faculty use non-lecture pedagogy. With each video being six minutes or less they can be easily incorporated into any face-to-face Introduction to Sociology course or embedded online. Discussion questions are included at the end of each video.